Board Member - Voluntary Position

We are seeking members with a broad range of skills and are particularly interested in individuals with experience of policy and/or lobbying, finance/accountancy, marketing and work at senior/board level in the third sector. 

The roles are unpaid voluntary positions. Reasonable expenses are paid.

 We ask that Board members are able to attend board meetings, and participate in the life of the organisation between board meetings, advising the staff team and acting in an ambassadorial role for the organisation.

Board meetings are currently held each month (excluding January & July) in Belfast on a Saturday morning. Positions are advertised for a period of 3 years (term may be renewed).

About the Federation

Women’s Aid is the lead voluntary organisation in Northern Ireland addressing domestic and sexual violence and providing services for women and children. The Women’s Aid movement in Northern Ireland began in 1975 and the organisation is made up of nine local Women’s Aid groups and Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland. Each Women’s Aid group offers a range of specialist services to women who have experienced domestic violence. They are all members of Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland. The work of the Federation, is regional and focused on: Women’s rights as human rights, Policy, Consultation and Awareness Raising; Public Awareness of Violence against Women; Preventative Education and Training; Supporting our member groups to work collectively; Partnership Working; Management of 24 Hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline; Lobbying and Campaigns; Access to Justice; Effective Legislation and Service user involvement -Coproduction

About the roles:

 We are seeking to recruit a number of board members, and expect that different candidates will bring a range of skills and experience to the Federation from the attributes listed.

 General

·         Commitment to the objectives of the Federation

·         Willingness to act as an ambassador for the Federation

·         Willingness to fulfil the duties and standards of conduct required of a board member of a charitable organisation

·         Understanding of equalities and diversity issues

 Experience

·         Experience of charity finance and fund accounting (for Treasurer role).

·         Fundraising (e.g. from individuals, partnerships with business and/or civil society organisations, EU funding and/or sales of goods and services).

·         Policy influencing (analysis, formation and/or framing).

·         Lobbying policymakers and/or business and/or representative groups.

·         Working for a think tank or similar.

·         Working for or with the following: managers and boards in all sectors & relevant structures e.g. remuneration committees, institutional investors, unions, NGOS.

·         Media and communications or PR, including social media.

·         Developing business models in organisations comparable to the Equality Trust.

·         Board level experience, ideally at a charity or company of a similar size to the Equality Trust.

 Expertise & Knowledge

·         Inequality (trends and developments in NI economic inequality; the financial, economic and political impacts of economic inequality)

·         Charity sector / charity law and regulation

·         Women’s issues or Women’s sector campaigning,

·         LGBTQ issues

·         Older people issues

·         Procurement/tendering/marketing

 Skills

·         Ability to understand and interrogate financial reports

·         Strategic planning skills

·         Risk management skills

·         Analytical skills

·         Management / project management

·         Communications

·         Ability to operate as part of a team

 How to apply:

Please submit a CV and a covering letter by 10th March 2017 stating why you wish to be considered for the role, to Jan Melia (CEO) by email  [email protected]

Your covering letter should show how your experience fits with our needs, why you are interested and what you would hope to bring to the Board.  We will contact all prospective members after the closing date and look forward to hearing from you.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role with Jan Melia CEO please contact her on 028 90249041 or email her at [email protected].